'Jumanji,' 'The Post' among new movies to see Christmas weekend

With his surprise baby news just announced on Monday, we asked Dwayne The Rock Johnson to write down what he is most thankful for this holiday season. His answer surprised us, and probably everyone in his family.
Humankind

Christmas is a time for family, friends and strangers to gather together, collectively basking in the warming glow of the cinema screen.

Late December is when awards season hopefuls, potential blockbusters and crowd-pleasing lighter fare all converge at your local movie theater, and 2017 offers plenty of film-going opportunities.

Here are a dozen new reasons to go to the movies this Christmas weekend.

"Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" (now playing)

We find ourselves in the midst of an inescapable '90s nostalgia boom, with everything from "Twin Peaks" to "Full House" getting a second wind lately.

Now, just a few short months after he helped revive cult classic "Baywatch" for the big screen, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is leading the charge to bring back "Jumanji," the fondly remembered 1995 Robin Williams special effects spectacular.

This Christmas, viewers have the chance to see cinema history. Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis has insisted that his work in "Phantom Thread" will be his final performance.

The film reunites him with his "There Will Be Blood" (2007) director Paul Thomas Anderson to tell the story of a dress-maker in 1950s London who finds his regimented life disrupted by love.

Hugh Jackman in a scene from "The Greatest Showman."(Photo: Courtesy of Niko Tavernise/Twentieth Century Fox)

"The Greatest Showman" (now playing)

Star Hugh Jackman is looking to give viewers a bit of the old razzle dazzle with this new movie musical about circus entrepreneur P.T. Barnum.

The screenplay was co-written by Bill Condon, who also had a hand in the film adaptations of "Chicago" (2002) and "Dreamgirls" (2006) and directed this year's "Beauty and the Beast," so we have high hopes for this one.

Director Luca Guadagnino's sweltering summer romance has been earning rave reviews and major box office numbers in its few weeks playing in select theaters, and now more audiences are getting the chance to see the film for themselves as it makes its way to wide release.

The Asbury Park Press named it one of the best movies of 2017, saying that "the film is patient and deliberate as its characters, and in turn its audience, get caught in the thrall of first love."

Christopher Plummer in a scene from "All the Money in the World."(Photo: Courtesy of Giles Keyte/Sony Pictures)

"All The Money in the World" (opens Monday, Dec. 25)

Even under normal circumstances, "All The Money in the World" would have been appealing, a kidnapping thriller directed by master craftsman Ridley Scott.

But following allegations of sexual misconduct, original star Kevin Spacey was removed from the film and replaced by acting legend Christopher Plummer, who's already earned a Golden Globe nomination for his 11th hour work on the movie.

"Happy End" (now playing in select cinemas, opens in New Jersey Jan. 12)

It wouldn't be the holidays without a bit of dysfunctional family turmoil, would it? Thankfully, Austrian auteur Michael Haneke has you covered with "Happy End," his latest confrontational drama.

The film reunites Haneke with Jean-Louis Trintignant and Isabelle Huppert, two stars of his Oscar-winning 2012 heart-breaker "Amour," but this film is an epic soap opera with a covertly wicked sense of humor.

Hong Chau and Matt Damon appear in a scene from "Downsizing."(Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)

"Downsizing" (now playing)

For more than 20 years, director Alexander Payne has specialized in painfully funny and all-too-human character dramas like "About Schmidt" (2002) and "Sideways" (2004).

That approach takes on a sci-fi twist with "Downsizing," Payne's new work of speculative fiction centered on the idea of shrinking people as a means of combating overpopulation and climate change.

The West seldom looks as brutal as it does in "Hostiles," director Scott Cooper's hard-as-nails frontier drama.

Set at the end of the 19th century, the film is the story of a bitter U.S. Army captain (played by Christian Bale) tasked with bringing a dying Cheyenne chief (played by Wes Studi) home to his tribal lands. It's a tough, unflinching piece of business.

"Father Figures" might now have the most complex premise in the world — two brothers set out on a quest to find their long-lost father — but it possesses one of the most appealing ensembles of the season.

Ed Helms and Owen Wilson are the sons, Glenn Close is their mother and potential fathers include J.K. Simmons, Christopher Walken and Terry Bradshaw.

Will Smith, right, and Joel Edgerton in a scene from "Bright."(Photo: Courtesy of Matt Kennedy/Netflix)

"Bright" (now streaming via Netflix)

Streaming juggernaut Netflix is offering one of the oddest films this holiday season: "Bright," a fantasy-informed police procedural drama from "Suicide Squad" (2016) director David Ayer.

Written by divisive scribe Max Landis, the film stars Will Smith and Joel Edgerton as a pair of volatile cops — and while Smith's character is human, Edgerton's is an orc.

Monmouth's Justin Robinson celebrates after the game for being the top scorer in Monmouth University history. Robinson celebrates with teammates Josh James and Chris Brady. Saint Peter's at Monmouth University basketball.
West Long Branch, NJ
Friday, February 3, 2017.
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Monmouth's Justin Robinson celebrates after the game for being the top scorer in Monmouth University history. Saint Peter's at Monmouth University basketball.
West Long Branch, NJ
Friday, February 3, 2017.
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Amanda Glass of Metuchen, NJ lets out a yell as mild weather brought out hundreds to the 8th Annual Leap in the Lake sponsored by the Lake Hopatcong Elks #782 for Our Special Kids at Hopatcong State Park. February 11, 2017, Hopatcong, NJ.
Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

A first responder on Mills Pond in Roxbury snares a deer, which became stuck in a partially frozen pond for 24 hours. An OEM amphibious rescue craft almost reached the deer but suddenly tipped and sank into the pond. All of the responders and the deer were rescued. March 19, 2017, Roxbury, NJ
Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

Steven Van Zandt receives his honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts hood at Rutgers University 251st Commencement held at High Point Solutions Stadium, Piscataway. The original member of the E Street Band, Van Zandt was the Keynote speaker. May 14, 2017, Piscataway, NJ
Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

Head Wrangler Jerry Guthlein holds up his groundhog Milltown Mel on Groundhog Day at the American Legion in Milltown, NJ. Milltown Mel did not see his shadow this morning, according to folklore the spring season will arrive early. The event is in its ninth year. February 2, 2016, Milltown, NJ.
Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

The 35th annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ, the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America as well as the premiere family entertainment attraction in New Jersey. July 27, 2017. Readington, NJ
Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

Lenape Valley's Troy DuPont goes up and over the Madison defense in a rematch of last years NJSIAA North 2 Group II title. Friday night, Lenape Valley broke Madison's 21-game winning streak to win at home 24-3. September 8, 2017, Stanhope, NJ
Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

Joe Biden, the 47th vice president of the United States, discussed 'It’s On Us,' a national campaign to end sexual assault on college campuses during his visit to Rutgers University. The campaign was launched in 2014 following recommendations from the White House Task Force to Prevent Sexual Assault. October 12, 2017. New Brunswick, New Jersey
Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

A Butler cheerleader is engulfed by the teams banner after it was ripped in half by heavy winds before their game vs. Boonton in their NJSFC National White Friday night football matchup. November 3, 2017. Boonton, New Jersey
Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

West Essex head coach Chris Benacquista gets a 'Gatorade shower' after defeating Voorhees in the North 2 Group III football final at MetLife Stadium. West Essex won 28-14. December 2, 2017. East Rutherford, New Jersey
Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

09/16/17
Point Pleasant Boro’s Brandon Cipriano pulls down a pass in the end zone dispite the effort of Lacey’s Justin Gorski for his team’s third score of game. Point Pleasant Boro football soundly defeats Lacey during second game of season in Lacey on September 16, 2017.
Peter Ackerman

Shimi (left) and Yocheved (behind) Nussbaum were arrested Monday in connection with a public-assistance fraud scheme. Their arrest was part of a larger operation, led by federal and state authorities, that netted the arrests of six others.
Peter Ackerman

A Special Prom
06/09/17
Deanna Carraher, who has Downs Syndrome, had her dream of attending her high school prom fulfilled when family friend college student Collin Bitsko agreed to take her. After a day of having her hair and make up done, Collin showed up with flowers and took her for the night of her life.
Deanna pins on Collin’s flower on his lapel.
Peter Ackerman

06/23/17
Family and friends show their grief at the end of funeral service at The Church of St Rose funeral mass for Mitzi Hernandez and Emily Gonzalez-Perez, the two girls who drowned while swimming after hours at the Ninth Avenue beach in Belmar last week.
Peter Ackerman

11/09/17
Homeless camper Olga Savka enters her tent after making lunch. Olga makes meals for many of the campers because she loves to cook and is also in charge of the sorting and organizing the clothing donations, keeping the items that campers may need and bagging items to be given away at the Lakewood Town Square.
Peter Ackerman

11/18/17
Shore’s Julia Eichenbaum jumps into the arms of Sophie Hauritz after she scored her second of two last minute goals to tie the game and then win 5-4 in state Group Soccer Championships.
Peter Ackerman

Roy Lamanna, owner of Vydia, one of several companies that signed leases at Bell Works, talks about his company, which helps independent musicians get paid when their videos play on YouTube, in the Bell Works building in Holmdel, NJ Tuesday January 10, 2017.
Tanya Breen

Jamilh Srouji of Ocean Twp., a member of the Islamic Society of Monmouth County, joins local residents as they gather with signs and later surround the Islamic Society of Monmouth County during its Friday prayers to show support for the Muslim community after the deadly shooting at a Quebec mosque and the Trump administration's refugee restriction order in Middletown, NJ Friday February 3, 2017. Staff photo Tanya Breen
This is my favorite image of the year. It was a day where local residents from all cultures, religions and backgrounds joined together as one to embrace the local Muslim community. The open minds and accepting hearts of the community was inspiring. I was honored to both witness and document such a peaceful and beautiful event.
Tanya Breen

Kris Quinn of Kerhonkson, NY receives a kiss from a horse named Davis during a group equine therapy session with military veterans from Samaritan Daytop Village, a residential treatment program in New York City, at Serenity Stables, From Combat to Calm in Atlantic Highlands, NJ Wednesday August 15, 2017.
Tanya Breen

Danny Clinch poses in the bathroom, which features walls of photographic contact sheets, as he talks about the images included in Transparent: A Danny Clinch Gallery at the Asbury Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ Friday, July 14, 2017.
Tanya Breen

Gina Hickey of Laurence Harbor joins supporters of President Trump to protest "the hate and bias against President Trump and American values," outside Middletown Plaza in Middletown, NJ Monday February 27, 2017.
Tanya Breen

Ron Pierce of Jackson, who is completing his degree at Rutgers after serving a 30-year prison sentence for murder, talks about his seven-part web diary which documents his life behind bars at his home in Jackson, NJ Friday January 13, 2017.
Tanya Breen

Family members mourn as the casket is carried onto the football field during the funeral of Cpl. Daniel I. Baldassare, 20, of Colts Neck, a Marine who was killed July 10 when his military plane crashed in a soybean field in Mississippi, at Colts Neck High School in Colts Neck, NJ Tuesday, July 25, 2017.
Tanya Breen

Michael Stern, Sarah Stern’s father, reacts as Preston Taylor, 19, answers questions about his role in the murder of Sarah Stern during a plea hearing before Judge Richard W. English at Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, NJ Monday April 24, 2017. Taylor plead guilty to 6 charges in the Sarah Stern murder case, which include robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, disturbing or desecrating human remains, tampering with physical evidence and two counts of hindering apprehension.
Tanya Breen

Doris Taylor, 99, of Belmar, the widow of former Belmar Mayor John Taylor, dances with Harry Tahan, 96, of Belmar during the Taylor Pavillion rededication and ribbon cutting in Belmar, NJ Monday, May 1, 2017. The pavillion is named after the former Belmar Mayor John Taylor.
Tanya Breen

Micah Clark, offensive tackle who attended St. John Vianney High School, looks around the field at High Point Solutions Stadium during Rutgers Football Media Day at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ Sunday August 13, 2017.
Tanya Breen

Polar Bear plungers get ready to hit the surf just north of Convention Hall in Asbury Park Sunday January 1, 2017 during the event that benefits the Shore House and Stephy's Place and is sponsored by the Sons of Ireland.Org.
THOMAS P. COSTELLO

1/21/17 8:44:56 AM -- Washington, DC, U.S.A -- Women pose for photos on the National Mall before The Women's March on Washington rally in Washington, D. C. on January 21, 2017, one day after the inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump. --
Thomas P. Costello, for USA TODAY

Emergency personnel attempt to access the driver of a car that was involved in a head-on collision with a pickup truck on Route 526 in Upper Freehold Thursday afternoon, April 6, 2017.
Thomas P. Costello

Cali gives Brittney DiBartolo some dog kisses after being reunited with her family at the Broken Promises Sanctuary in Howell Sunday morning, June 4, 2017. The dog went missing from the family two years ago, then was discovered nearly dead at a highway rest stop and brought to the sanctuary for treatment. Other family members shown are (l-r): Maddison, 5; Kaylee, 2; husband Larry; and Lucas, 4. They are from Raleigh, NC.
Thomas P. Costello